Shaped chair



Feb 13, 1951 E. SAARINEN 2,541,835 SHAPED CHAIR Filed Dec. 4, 1948Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

EERO SAARINEN ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1951 SAARINEN 2,541,835

SHAPED CHAIR Filed Dec. 4, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

36M EERO SAARINEN ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1951 E. SAARINEN 2,541,835

SHAPED CHAIR Filed Dec. 4, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

EERO SAARINEN ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 13, 1951 SHAPED CHAIR EeroSaarinen, Bloomfield ..Hills, .Mich,, I assignor .to. Knoll Associates,1110,, N ewiYork, N Y.

Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,460

.17 .Claims. 1 The present .=invention relates to articles ofrfurniture, and more particularly to :an article of :furniture, whereinthe-:seatrand the bacle-rest form portions of a shell -like body.

:An Tobject :of the present invention is -to "provvide ,an article offurniture :wherein the shelllike body scontaining tits seat randback-rest -is :free \from :compoundly r curved surfaces present-.ingtwoidirnens-ionalcurves.

A further object of the present invention is ,to provide an i article.of furniture, the shell-like body of which containing tits seat andback-rest may able readily upholstered Without the -use of ,gussets.

,.Stil1.another =olojectv-of the .presentdnvention 1 to improve'onv {the.artqof articles of furniture -asnow.ordinarily;made.

With the ,aboverandrother. obj ectsvof: theinvens tion-inview,the.invention- ,consists in y the novel construction, arrangement andCombination of various elements and par-tsas describedhereinafter) and.set forth ,in :the claims hereof, :certain embodiments of the, sameabeingcdesoribed in the .spevcification and being-illustrated-inrthe284000111- panyingdrawingsiorming,part ofthisspecification, wherein:

Figul istasperspective .viewnfsaschair according totheinvention,

Fig. 2 'is a W perspective view of .the support carrying the ishe11=1ike.smainehody "of the vachair showninFig. 1,

'Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a blank which may the used. for.thermanufacture of -the .shelhlike .main-hody, of the chair showninFig.) 1,

- Fig. 4 is a front .elevational .view of. the chair -..shownin.l?ig;.1,

-.Fig. .5 -,is a :side elevaticnal view 10f the chair r shownin Rigel,

Fig.6 ispa yerticaLsectional :view taken. on. line (Fig. '7 ish.a,pers.pectiverviewzof ,ablankrbentp into shape ,soas to .form \onerhalf.of the shell-like A main. bodyof a: chair according to the, invention,,Figs. 3-10 "are diagrammatical illustrations .of the ,devrelopmentrofthe. shell-like main hodyofta Lchair ,accordingto the vinventionw.from...a :cone,

nEighll .is va vertical sectional .viewsimilanto thatrshownflin-Fight,wherein, however, 15116811611- like main .hody .of .the-uchairais,provided with upholstery, and

Fig. 12.. is v .a perspective view. of a; diifenent. embodiment of a..chair "according .to .the .invention.

.Referringinow to. Eigs. 1, 2. and 4A5, :ZAL-generr ally indicates-acradle-like support marryin =,the

shell-like main body 22 ot a chain As-bestshowninrEig. 2, thecradleelikesupport 26 is made of twovrods or tubular elements 24 and '26 :bent insuitable 'manner and connected -,with each tothe-r-at-their centerportionby weldingl orrin anyother suitable Way.

The-shell-like main body {22 comprises a .-seatportion 28,-twoarm-restsfill and 32 and a-backrest 34. Furthermore, said shell-likebody ,2-2 is providedzwith an aperture 36 in its centermportion.Thesshell like'body 22 is of substantiallyruniiorm thickness throughout.

According to a characteristic feature of the invention, the surface ofeach area of thershell- ,Ii-keEbQdy-ZZ- adjacentsto-said aperture, 36-is traced .by a :str-aight-line generatrix whetherrthe area,foreXample-the area of the back-rest 34,-is curved or whether thearea-forexample the upper sur- ;face-of :the arm-rests 130 and 32,-issubstantially straight. Therefore, the overallsurface of the:shell-liker body-22 is freerfronr compoundly curved surfaces.insofar-as the shell-likelbody includes curved surfaces, they present.unidimensional .curves. For a better understanding ofthischaracteristic feature of the shell-like body v2 2 of an article offurniture according to the invention,

reference is had to "Figsrfi-lfi which-illustrate the development of-thB1Sh611-1ik6b0d3 from a cone. As a 1 matter .of fact and asillustrated by Fig.

8, the-suriaceareaofa coneC is-traeed-bya surfaces,i.,e.,'intoashell-like body wherein the surfaces of all its areas-aretraced by straightline generatrices and thecurvedsurfaces presentmn-idimens-ional curves, 'all of its creases .rnust gcoincide :With a-generatrix emanating from its apex A. For-example, ifsuch a coneOshould be deformed into a shell-like body free from-compoundlycurved-surfaces and of a shape as @shown inFigntQ, the cone Cwould have to be -.cr-eased at the lines L ('seeF-ig. 8). 'Theresulting.-she1l-like body zshown in Fig. 9 with. a seat-surface S,ar1nrestsurfaces-R and a backrrestsurface J3, however, :would zbeimpractical :for use as a ,memberof a t-chair, as all. of its creases=are directedtowardsthe apex A. In this way, for :eX-

to the cut-out aperture or opening are traced by straight-linegeneratrices G emanating from an edge of said aperture or opening 0.Thus, the shell-like body shown in Fig. 10, for example, is free fromcompoundly curved surfaces and, at the same time, gives sufficient roomto accommodate comfortably the body of a person. Curved surfaces of theshell-like body shown in Fig. being conically shaped presentunidimensional curves. As may be gathered from Fig. 10, the generatricesG do not have a point of intersection common to all of them, contrary tothe shelllike body shown in Fig. 9. All compoundly curved surfaces, suchas spherically shaped surfaces which would be caused by the direction ofthe generatrices G in the shell-like body shown in Fig. 10 areeliminated by the arrangement of the aperture or opening 0 which is atthe place where otherwise compoundly curved surfaces would be found.

In a practical manner, the shell-like body 22 of the chair shown inFigs. 1 and 4-6 may be made from a band-like blank 22b of sheet materialhaving a converging cut-out between its edges 38b, as shown in Fig. 3.Said cut-out converges from the exterior of the blank toward its centerand merges into a single aperture having side edges M1) at firstdiverging away from and then converging toward the center of the blank;the inner edge 3% of said aperture connecting its side edges 4!!) is onthe inner side adjacent the solid portion'of the blank outside the spaceembraced by said side edges. The sheet material of the blank may consistof a plastic or plywood or metal or any other bendable material. Theblank 22b is bent in a suitable form into the desired shape of theshell-like body 22. The surfaces of its flat and/or curved areasadjacent to the aperture 36 are traced by straight-line generatrices,the curved surfaces presenting unidimensional curves. Upon suitableshaping of the blank 22b, the edges 3% thereof contact each other, theareas 28b form the seat portion, the areas 30?) and 3217 form thearm-rests and the area 341) forms the back-rest of the shell-like body22. In the finished product, the contacting edges 38b of the blank 221)are connected with each other at the seam 38. This connection may beobtained by mechanical means, such as screws, or by the use of anadhesive, such as glue, or by a fusing process in case a thermoplasticmaterial is used, or by any other suitable means.

Instead of bending the blank 22b by means of a form into the desiredshape, its various areas could also be bent, one after the other, bysuitable means into the shape desired.

Furthermore, instead of using a single blank 22b as shown in Fig. 1, itwould also be possible to use several sectional blanks, for example twohalves and bending each half either by a form or by other means into thedesired shape as shown, for example, in Fig. '7. According to Fig. 7 theband-like blank 222m of sheet material used for forming one half of theshell-like body 22 of a chair according to the invention is shaped insuch a way that its areas obtain the desired shape and that it isprovided with beveled joining edges 38bit and 40th which in the finalproduct may overlap corresponding beveled adjoinin edges of the otherhalf not shown in Fig. '7. The two halves may be connected with eachother at said beveled joining edges by means of an adhesive or screws orin any other suitable manner. Preferably, the band-like blank 222m ofbendable sheet material is brought into the desired shape I34 thereof.

by bending same over a mandrel, which may be heated.

Furthermore, the shell-like body 22 of a chair according to theinvention could also be made by placing plastic material intoa form ormold of suitable shape and shaping said plastic material therein. Insuch a case, an integral seamless shell-like body would be obtained.

As may be gathered from Figs. 1-6, the cradle 20 is shaped in such a waythat its center portion 42 (see Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6) supports theseatportion 28 of the shell-like body 22 and that its upper rearportions 44 and 46 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 5) support the laterally andoutwardly projectin portions of the arm-rests 3i! and 32. Preferably,the remaining portions of the cradle 25 are not in engagement with theshell-like body 22. Thus, the shell-like body 22, which may not beentirely rigid in itself, may give to a certain extent under the load ofan occupant and is yet sufficiently supported. The shell-like body 22may loosely rest on the cradle 28 or may be attached to the latter bymeans of screws 48 as shown in the drawings.

As mentioned above. the shell-like body 22 of a chair according to theinvention is free from compoundly curved surfaces. This featurefacilitates to a great extent the upholstering of such a chair, whichcan be done without the use of gussets.

Fig. 11 illustrates a chair according to the invention wher in theshell-like body 22 is provided with uphol terv comprising a layer offoam rubher 5!! or the like and a laver of fabric 52. A portion of saidlayer of fabric covers the aperture 36 at the outside of the articlewhereby'a recess 54 is formed. capable of receiving a cushion 56 andholdin same in place. The chair shown in Fig. 11 is provided with anoter cushion 58 placed on the seat-section of the shell-l ke body 22.

Of course. if d sired. the upholstery of the shell-like bodv 22 of achair according to the invention may be omitted and a piec of flexiblematerial, such as fabric or a flex ble plastic or the like mav be attaced to the article for merely coverin the apert re 36.

It is understood that the sha e of t e sh ll-like body 22 shown in thedrawings represents only an example. The shell-like bodv 22 may beshaped in manv d erent wavs according to the same princ e, so that it isfree from compoundly curved surfaces.

Furth rmore. the shell-like bodv must not neces arily incl de tharm-rests. Acco d ng to Fig. 12, for exam le, the shell-like bodv I22 ofa c ir constitut s the seat I28 and th back-rest Said shell-like bodvI22 has also an aperture I3? in its center portion e tending from oneside of the chair to the other. F rthermore. t e surfaces of all ar asof said sh ll-like bodv [22. are traced by straight-line generatrices,

so that the shell-like bodv is free from cornpoundly curved surfaces.The shell-like body I22 of the chair shown in Fig. 12 is supported by aplurality of legs 22! which may be either separate pieces connected tothe shell-like body !22 or mav be members of a support connected to theshell-like body 522 in any suitable manner.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration andthat various omissions or changes in shape, proportion and arrangementof parts as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for thoseherein shown and described may be made without des parting fromthespirit and scope of the-invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What I claim is: 1. In anarticleof furniture: a"shell-'like-:.-bo'dyincluding a seat and a back-rest, said-shell-like body having anaperture in its center portien and being composed of a' plurality ofsurfaces adjacent to saidaperture, at leastaportion of said surfacesbeingcurved, and all of said curved surfaces presenting ,unidimensionalcurves, in ..-the di rection of their curvature andibeingstraced byzastraight line. generatrix perpendicularto the edge of the aperture at'the point of intersection.

2-: In. an article of furniture: a shell-likezbo'dy including a seatanda back-rest, saidshell-like body. having an aperture in its centerportion and being compcsedofa plurality .of surfaces. adjacent .to saidaperture,ia, predetermined number of said surfacesbeing.c=.1rved,.theremainder of said surfaces being straight, and all of said-curvedsurfaces presenting unidimensional curves. in, the direction of theircurvatureand being traced by a straight line generatrix perpendicular tothe edge of the aperture at the point of intersection.

3. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, a piece of flexiblematerial covering said aperture at the outside of said article and beingattached to said shell-like body whereby a recess is formed capable ofreceiving a cushion and holding same in place.

4. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, upholstery appliedto said shell-like body. a portion of said upholstery covering saidaperture at the outside of the article whereby a recess is formedcapable of receiving a cushion and holding same in place.

5. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody including a seat, a backrest and arm-rests.

6. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody including a seat, a backrest and arm-rests, aportion of saidarm-rests projecting. laterally on each side of the article, and aseparate supportimg cradle, said shell-like body resting on said cradleonly at its seat and at its laterally projecting portions of thearmrests.

7. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody including a seat, a backrest and arm-rests, a portion of saidarm-rests projecting laterally on each side of the article, upholsteryapplied to said shell-like body, a por tion of said upholstery coveringsaid aperture at the outside of said article and being attached to saidshell-like body whereby a recess is formed capable of receiving acushion and holding same in place, and a supporting cradle, saidshell-like body resting on said cradle at its seat and at its laterallyprojecting portions of the arm-rests.

8. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody having substantially uniform thickness throughout.

9. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody being made from an integral blank of bendable sheet material bentinto shape, said blank having a cut-out converging from its exteriortowards its center and merging into a single aperture having side edgesat first diverging away from and then converging to. wards the center ofthe blank and having an inner edge connecting said side edges, and theedges of said converging cut-out being in adjacent position when theblank is bent into shape forming said shell-like body.

10. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody being'made from an integral blank of bendable sheet --material bentinto shape, said blank having a cut-out converging from its exteriortowards its center and mer ing into a single aperture havingside-edgesat sfirst diverging away-tram and then converging towards the center ofthe blankand having an inner edge connecting said side edges, and theedges of said converging cut-out being in adjacent position and beingconnected" with each other when the blank is bentinto shape-forming saidshell-like body.

11.111 an article of'iurniture-as olaimed in .claim, 2, said shel-ll-ike body being made from an integral blank of bendable sheet materialbent --into shape, said blank having a cut out convergingfroniitsexterior towards its center-and mer ing intoa single aperturehaving side edges at -fi-rstdiverging :away from and thenconvergingtowards'the center oftlie blank .and havinguan inneredge connecting saidside edges, and the edges of said converging cut-out being in adjacentposition when the blank is bent into shape forming said shell-like body.

12. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 2, said shell-likebody being made from an integral blank of bendable sheet material bentinto shape, said blank having a. cut-out converging from its exteriortowards its center and merginginto a single aperture having side edgesat first diverging away from and then converging towards the center ofthe, blank and having an inner edge connecting said side edges, and theedges of said converging cut-out being in adjacent position and beingconnected with each other when the blank is bent into shape forming saidshell-like body.

13. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody being made from a number of sectional blanks of bendable sheetmaterial bent into shape and connected with each other at adjoiningedges.

14. In an article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said shell-likebody consisting of an in tegral seamles piece of material.

15. In an article of furniture: a shell-like body including a seat, aback-rest and arm-rests, said shell-like body being made from a blank ofbendable sheet material bent into shape, said blank having a cut-outconverging from its exterior toward its center and merging into a singleaperture having side edges at first diverging away from and thenconverging toward the center of the blank and having an inner edgeconnecting said side edges, the edges of said coverging cutout being inadjacent position when the blank is bent into shape forming saidshell-like body, a portion of said arm-rests projecting laterally oneach side of the article, and a separate supporting cradle, saidshell-like body resting on said cradle only at its seat and at itslaterally projecting portions of the arm-rests.

16. In an article of furniture: a shell-like body including a seat and aback-rest, said shell-like body being made from a blank of bendablesheet material bent into shape, said blank having a cutout convergingfrom its exterior toward its center and merging into a single aperturehaving side edges at first diverging away from and then convergingtoward the center of the blank and having an inner edge connecting saidside edges, the edges of said converging cut-out being in adjacentposition when the blank is bent into shape forming said shell-like body,a piece of flexible material covering at the outside of the article the:aperture for-med in said shell-like body by the :aperture of the blank,said piece of flexible material being attached to said shell-like bodywhereby a recess is formedcapable of receiving :a cushion and holdingsame in place.

17. In an article of furniture: a shell-like body including a seat, aback-rest and arm-rests, said shell-like body being made from a blank ofbendable sheet material bent into shape, said blank having a cut-outconverging from its exterior toward its center and merging into a singleaperture having side edges at first diverging away from and thenconverging toward the center of the blank and having an inner edgeconnecting said side edges, the edges of said converging cutout being inadjacent position when the blank is bent into shape forming saidshell-like body, a portion of said arm-rests projecting laterally oneach side of the article, upholstery applied to said shell-like body, aportion of said upholstery covering at the outside of the article theaperture caused in said shell-like body by said aperture of l 8 theblank whereby a recess is formed capable of receiving a cushion andholding same in place, and a separate supporting cradle, said shell-likebody resting on said cradle only at its seat and at its laterallyprojecting portions of the armrests.

EERO SAARIN'EN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 81,313 Whitman June 3, 1930232,496 Heywood Sept. 21, 1880 251,903 Lewis Jan. 3, 1882 1,548,488Schibrowski Aug. 4, 1925 2,343,077 Parrish Feb. 29, 1944 2,393,499 FlintJan. 22, 1946 2,395,468- Eames Feb. 26, 1946 2,454,408 'Roth Nov. 23,1948

